Gypsy moth treatment public meetings, virtual

The DNR will hold eight virtual meetings to discuss areas proposed for aerial treatments of the invasive insect commonly known as gypsy moth, the scientific name for which is Lymantria dispar.

Lymantria disparis considered one of the most destructive insect pests threatening our rural and urban forests. To limit its spread, Indiana monitors populations through surveys and recommends treatments to decrease populations.

Areas proposed for treatment in 2022 are:

To join a meeting go to zoom.us on your computer, smartphone, or other handheld device and click "JOIN A MEETING" at the top of the webpage. The meeting code is 865 8865 1652; passcode 4444. You can also join by phone for the audio-only portion of the meeting by dialing 312-626-9799 or 929-205-6099 at the above meeting times and using the meeting code to connect. Service-provider fees may apply.

All meetings will discuss the same information, so there is no need to attend more than one. The presence of this invasive insect, problems associated with infestations, and methods for dealing with the insect will be discussed. While open to anyone, the meetings will be geared toward residents of the sites listed above, which have been identified as having infestations.

To see detailed maps showing infested and proposed treatment areas, view the meeting's PowerPoint presentation (if you cannot attend a meeting), see a series of question-and-answers, and get more information, see gypsymoth.IN.gov and click the link "2022 Indiana Gypsy Moth Treatment Program" at the top of the page.

For more information, call toll free at 1-866-NO-EXOTIC (663-9684) or call the local county extension office at 1-888-EXT-INFO (1-888-398-4636). You can also follow the DEPP on Twitter @INdnrinvasive.

Mail questions and comments on the proposed treatments to Gypsy Moth 2022, Indiana DNR Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology, 402 W. Washington St., W-290, Indianapolis, IN 46204-2739 or email to [email protected]. The public comment period ends Friday, March 4, at 4:30 p.m. ET.

Options that will be discussed in detail at the meetings include:

• Taking no action,
• Using mass trapping, which involves setting a large number of traps in a concentrated area to capture male gypsy moths before they have a chance to locate and mate with females, or
• Using biological control, which involves the aerial application of the naturally occurring bacteria Btk (Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki), which eliminates gypsy moth larvae, or
• Using mating disruption, which involves the aerial application of the gypsy moth mating pheromone (or scent) that confuses male gypsy moths and prevents mating, or
• Using integrated pest management, which involves the combined use of the above options.

For more information, call 1-866-NO-EXOTIC (663-9684) or call the local county extension office at 1-888-EXT-INFO (1-888-398-4636).